To understand what a mesh topology is and how it works you first have to know what network topology is. There are many different types of networks that come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Local area networks are commonly seen in office buildings and schools. While wide area networks span the entire globe, such as the internet. These different types of networks have different types of layouts and functions. A network topology basically refers to how a network is built and functioning. There are many different types of topologies as well, such as the star topology, bus topology, ring topology and the mesh topology.

The mesh topology works in a rather sporadic manner, and has no real pattern. Consider the netting of a lacrosse stick, each string overlaps other strings and they all meet at one point. Such is the case with mesh network topology, many users are connected in a seeming patternless manner. The flow of information is random and the source to destination path of this information can take many paths. The best example of a network mesh topology is the internet. The internet consists of millions upon millions of users connecting to one another by sending information through tunnels and paths that have no specific route. This means that each computer connected to a mesh topology is considered a potential node. Computers can transmit and receive data. Now that we have a basic understand of what topologies are and how a mesh topology works, let us discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of a mesh topology.

Advantages

Traffic Abundance

Due to the fact that every connected device to a mesh topology is a node, a mesh topology can withstand high amounts of traffic. Also the interconnection of many devices at once also means that simultaneous transfers do not hinder or affect the network in anyway.

Reliability

Mesh topologies do not collapse if a single node disconnects or has connection issues. This is because each node is singularly connected to many different ones. One device falling off the network will not affect file transfers as this topology will allow your connection to find alternatives very quickly.

Ever growing

Mesh topologies aren’t affected by size or a shortage of users. As previously stated the internet functions on the mesh topology. The internet is constantly growing with more and more devices connecting and information being flooded into the network. This creates a large hub of data and useful information that many users connected to the network can avail.

Disadvantages

Highly expensive

The layout of a mesh topology requires constant supervision and is very expensive to implement. However once implemented a mesh topology can bring back a lot of the lost revenue.

High maintenance

Mesh topologies are very hard to maintain and manage. They require constant supervision due to redundancies and failures in the network. However a capable team of administrators can manage a mesh topology without too much of a hassle

Conclusion

The mesh topology is very handy and practical in the world today. Considering that information is flowing in every direction from an innumerable amount of sources, the mesh topology provides a layout that makes it much easier for this constant flow of data.